Cecilia Wanjiku, a Form Four student at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, is being remembered not just as one of the brightest students in her school, but as a young girl who, in her final moments, chose others over herself.
On Thursday, May28 night during the tragic fire, Wanjiku ran back into the flames to save her classmates and never came out.
Tributes have been pouring in since the tragic dormitory fire that claimed 16 lives and leaving 79 others injured.
Eight students are currently in custody as detectives investigate a possible arson attack.
Gilgil Member of Parliament Martha Wangari, who knew Cecilia as an NGCDF scholar, was among the first to pay tribute to the young student.
“Today we mourn the painful loss of Cecilia Wanjiku. Her bravery, brilliance, and selflessness will forever remain in our hearts,” she said.
The MP also sent her condolences to Wanjiku’s mother, Elizabeth Wanjiru, and the entire family, praying for strength during what she described as an unimaginably difficult time.
Wanjiku had scored 399 marks at Gilgil Highway Primary School, joining Karima Girls before transferring to Utumishi, where she thrived in Sciences and never dropped below a B+ mean grade.
Just last week, the school had selected her to represent Utumishi in a biology contest at Amref University scheduled for June 6.
Her biology teacher, Mr Joseph Karanja, had been a key mentor throughout her academic journey.
According to her schoolmates, when the fire broke out, Wanjiku did not run. She stayed behind, trying to help others escape, and lost her life in the process.
She will be remembered as hardworking, kind, and brave beyond her years.
